How Genshin Impact’s Chinese creator miHoYo found success with otakus willing to ‘pay for love’


By Josh Ye

Genshin Impact has been touted as the biggest ever global launch of a Chinese game. The slogan for Shanghai-based miHoYo, the company behind the game: ‘tech otakus save the world’. — SCMP

The men behind Genshin Impact, touted as the biggest ever global launch of a Chinese game, have made no secret of targeting otakus – a Japanese term for male geeks who are socially awkward with limited romantic lives, and who are often diehard fans of games or anime featuring “cute” or “sexy” female characters.

The slogan for Shanghai-based miHoYo, the company they founded: “tech otakus save the world”. And Cai Haoyu, co-founder and president of Genshin Impact creator miHoYo, has identified as a bona fide otaku himself.

Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
SCMP , otaku , Genshin Impact

Next In Tech News

'Stealing from a thief': How ChatGPT helped Delhi man outsmart scammer, make him 'beg' for forgiveness
A US man was indicted for allegedly cyberstalking women. He says he took advice from ChatGPT.
Apple, Tesla accused of profiting from horrific abuses, environmental destruction
Exclusive-How Netflix won Hollywood's biggest prize, Warner Bros Discovery
Hollywood unions alarmed by Netflix's $72 billion Warner Bros deal
US lawmakers press Google, Apple to remove apps tracking immigration agents
Meta acquires AI-wearables startup Limitless
New York Times sues Perplexity AI for 'illegal' copying of content
Netflix-Warner Bros deal faces political pushback even as company touts benefits
Analysis-Europe forges ahead with Big Tech crackdown with X fine, defying Trump

Others Also Read